Me and my husband are photo journalists, and were looking at doing a photographic safari with particular interest in the Tree climbing lions. We searched around and chanced on the small treasure in Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp. We approached from Kasese and did the morning game drive where we found huge herds of Buffalo and Elephants, tree climbing lions along with many beautiful birds.
Some background information about the lodge:
The Ishasha Ntungwe river camp is your ultimate travel adventure destination right in the middle of the wilderness, relaxing and forgetting the hustle and bustle of Kampala. The camp is dotted with wild bush and brush giving it a true feeling of wild safari at its awesome best. The first night we were there, an elephant wondered through the camp, and feasted on the pawpaw close to the tent where we had slept without any incident. The next morning we were awash with stories of buffaloes, at times wounded by lions rummaging thru the camp. Betty the resident manager showed us a damaged solar water heater by a buffalo while being pursued by a lion; remember they are on the ground next to the tents.
During our stay we ordered our meals from a set menu, dinner ended up being a four course meal. There was always a different starter for each meal. A variety of continental cuisines, curries, and desserts were on offer. I particularly enjoyed the Avocado Venegrade, tomato soup, grilled beef with parsley potatoes. It was amazing to have freshly baked cakes, cookies and other pastries all baked using a solar oven and simple charcoal oven.
This eco lodge boasts of near zero emission because they use solar water heating, solar refrigeration, solar ovens, solar power lighting, rainwater harvesting as well as reforestation. The community is fully involved in the activities of the camp as part of sustainable tourism effort. This was evident in the evening when we were treated to local community entertainment by the camp fire complete with folk songs. Betty made it interesting by interpreting the goings on and was surprised when my husband joined in the dance.
Activities:
Besides the big game; Tree climbing lions, Buffaloes. Elephants and Hippopotamus there are over six hundred bird species with a huge concentration in Ishasha Sector. For bird lovers, within the camp alone we counted over one hundred species my favorites being: sunbirds, Turacos, fish eagle, double toothed and yellow breasted barbets, grey caped warblers, wattle eye, lover birds, widow birds etal.
Fire place Community entertainment.
You need to travel with a four wheel drive car and a professional guide to take full advantage of what Queen Elizabeth national park and in particular Ishasha Ntungwe River Camp and its environs has to offer. Other activities, reading, board games, bird watching, and interpretive village walks.
We could not leave before Betty (the resident manager) got us to plant an acacia tree in the hope that when we come back a leopard will be perched up that tree since it’s the only one we did not see. The staff here is lovely and friendly and I could not stop wondering when I will be able to come back to this lovely place and its people.
For more information, please contact: Ishasha Ntungwe River camp via their website: www.treelionsafarilodge.com
